Give the surface soil time to dry completely before you water your petunias again. Use petunias everywhere there is sun. Multiflora petunias are compact varieties that bear 1 1/2- to 3-inch flowers. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. However, since petunias are annuals, this will need to be done each year, which can add up financially over the years. If the plants are under artificial lights, give them 14 to 16 hours of light per day. Cut the petunias back to about 2 inches (5 cm.) Petunia … When I initially started gardening, I heard an experienced gardener say that whosoever can grow petunias from the seed is a true gardener; otherwise, he/she’s not. … One of the economical ways to fill your garden with Wave Petunias is to grow your own plants from seed. Soak in sun. You should wait until after the last spring frost to move them outdoors. Both varieties can perform well indoors, bearing trumpet-shaped flowers in a rainbow of colors. Indoors, plant several plants together, several inches a part in one large container, if desired. However, petunias can also be started indoors in late winter. Grow Petunias from Seed: Start inside 10-12 weeks before you plan to move them outside (after the last frost of your area and after hardening off). How to Save Petunias After Over Fertilizing, The Old Farmer's Almanac: Growing Petunias, Colorado State University Extension: Petunia, University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program: Petunias. To bloom abundantly, petunias … Pour water into the top of the container until the water runs out the bottom of the plant pot. Keep an eye on them, and water if the soil is completely dry. Growing Wave Petunias from seed. Dig up petunias in the fall before the first frost. Alternatively, you can place the container about 6 inches under a fluorescent light that is set to turn on for 16 to 18 hours. Petunias need full sun outdoors, and plenty of light indoors to produce multitudes of blooms and to keep them from getting spindly. Start this process in March or April. Garden petunias like a balanced fertilizer such as 8-8 … The Old Farmer's Almanac also recommends Grandiflora petunias because they grow well in containers and don't like hot, humid summers. How to plant, grow, and care for Petunias | city sonnet says: March 28, 2014 at 4:40 am Petunias for Winter-Bloom Before you take cuttings of your petunia, make sure the plant has been well-fed and … Light: Bright filtered light is ideal, with perhaps some winter sun from an east-facing window. Petunias are no longer the plain Janes of the flower border. You can plant seeds that are much less expensive and then transplant the petunias to the outdoors when they’re ready. Cut the stems just above old leaf joints or leaves for the best results. Most gardeners buy petunias at their local garden center or greenhouse in spring. Or you can continue to grow them indoors. All Rights Reserved. Most, including the original cultivar "Purple Wave," are only about 4 inches tall, but can spread to 4 feet in length. " consider pitcher plants. Turning the plants every few days can help keep the growth even on both sides of the container. Planting petunias is easiest when they are purchased as a mature plant that is ready plant outdoors or to be kept indoors. A weekly, deep watering is sufficientexcept for spreading and container-grown petunias, which may require daily watering. General potting soil will suffice. The earliest to bloom are cultivars with the names of Rose, Blue, Lavender and Misty Lilac, according to Ohio State University Plant Facts, with pink and purple cultivars blooming a week after that. Petunias can be grown in the garden or in containers including hanging baskets. However, if treated as a perennial, selected varieties will grow in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. At the end of the season, usually in fall, discard the plant. above the soil and plant them in pots before the first fall frost. Description of sowing of Raw seeds of petunias in gerimination /seedling trays . Versatility of Petunias. Flatten the surface of the soil and press lightly then water. They need somewhere warm and bright (about 70 to 85 degrees F or 21.1 to 29.4 degrees C) … Petunias need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight every day to flower well. Petunias are hungry container plants that require monthly feedings throughout their spring and summer growing season. Healthy indoor petunias are prolific bloomers but don't drop their flowers after they fade. In landscape plantings, water spreading petunias, such … It’s easy to over-plant the trays, ending up with dozens of … They hang pitchers, like moist soil, and eat insects. A balanced fertilizer usually provides the best results. Grandiflora petunias Multiflora petunias Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. They need a sunny spot and grow best with regular watering, plus a liquid plant food every two to three weeks. If you are going to grow from seeds, start them indoors about 10 weeks before you want to set them outside. Here’re some petunia care tips you need to follow to grow the best petunias in containers! Keep them evenly watered by watering about twice a week. Tuck petunias in between evergreen shrubs to brighten the area. Water … Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Once the seed has germinated, move them from the warm area and let them grow on in cooler temperatures. (had to put a couple apple … But it takes 10 to 12 weeks before petunias are big … Though they can be similar, there are several different varieties of petunias on the market you can choose from. Planting petunias is easiest when they are purchased as a mature plant that is ready plant outdoors or to be kept indoors. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Overwintering Petunias: Growing Petunia Indoors Over Winter. However, in warmer areas (considerably USDA Zones 9-11) they are tender perennials. Knowing your frost dates can help you decide when to start your seeds indoors… Although they perform best outside, you can grow them in a container indoors, too. Transplant your petunias once the sprouts have leaves. Check them over carefully to make sure they aren’t infested with insects. Wave petunias are tolerant of hot, dry conditions and will bounce back from rain damage. Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. Mix and apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions on the product's label. As a fast-growing shrub, they may need to be repotted more … You can also use milled sphagnum moss. 2 Responses to “Growing Petunias Indoors” James Bertolino Says: January 31st, 2019 at 7:30 am. This variety sports very large flowers, so they are some of the best flowers for hanging baskets. Although petunias can also grow in shadier conditions, they won't produce many flowers. Planting petunias is easiest when they are purchased as a mature plant that is ready plant outdoors or to be kept indoors. You can also transplant the petunias outdoors at this time as well. When grown outdoors, petunias only need watering about once a week. Trim off the dead blooms at least once a week to keep your petunias looking tidy and encourage new flower growth. Petunias need to be started from seed around 10-12 weeks before you want to plant them outdoors. Indoors, these plants need more frequent watering. Prepare the seeds for sprouting. Petunias are relatively easy to grow and maintain, blooming from spring until first frost in mild climates when treated as an annual. Keep plants in an area of the home that receives about six hours of sunlight. Take off the plastic and move the container in a sunny spot after the petunias sprout, which usually takes about a week to 10 days. Examine the plants thoroughly for pests before you … However, since petunias are annuals, this will need to be done each year, which can add up financially over the years. Types of Petunias. Petunias grow well in almost any type of soil as long as the medium has good drainage. The most challenging aspect of growing petunias indoors is meeting their lighting requirements. The most challenging aspect of growing petunias indoors is meeting their lighting requirements. Because they have shallow roots, well-draining soil is a must, so avoid planting these flowers in depressions where rain tends to collect. Use just enough water to moisten the soil to prevent rot. Use a standard houseplant fertilizer that is geared towards flowering plants, and feed your petunias weekly. Additional Tips for Growing Petunias from Seed When starting petunia seed plants, remember that the seeds are very tiny. are perennial or annual flowering plants that belong to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, making them related to peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco. You can grow indoors, any time of year: seeds, herbs, succulents, and houseplants flourish under LED or fluorescent grow lights. Check the surface of the soil once a day and water your plants with room-temperature water if the soil feels dry. The earliest to bloom are cultivars with the names of Rose, Blue, Lavender and Misty Lilac, according to Ohio State University Plant Facts, with pink and purple cultivars blooming a week after that. Start the seeds on heating pads or on top of your refrigerator. Of the many petunia varieties, some are more suitable for growing indoors than others. The advantages of starting petunias indoors are that you have a wider choice of varieties from which to choose, and you can raise large quantities of plants for less money. However, they look their best located where they receive a full day's worth of sunlight and planted in rich, moist soil. Although petunias are usually grown outdoors in window boxes, containers or flower beds, growing petunias indoors produces healthy plants if you put them near a sunny window and give them regular care. Keep the soil evenly moist. Learn from the employee-owners at Gardener's Supply Company … The fastest growing cultivars are "Wave Misty Lilac" and "Wave Rose.". Normally, a petunia plant starts to exist from a seed within 10 to 12 days from planting the seeds. Place them next to your sunniest window where they can receive plenty of direct sunlight. 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